In the age of social networks, the online image becomes more and more important. Your reputation on the net will most likely have an impact on your future career moves and hiring managers often google you as a routine. And if they do so, you better make sure the hits are positive. Not checking your online profile regularly in social networks means therefore running high risk: The first impression is important and inappropriate pictures or remarks on the internet might impact career moves. However, the 2.0 reputation also has many positive aspects. Read on to understand how you get your online image right.

A growing market: reputation management

Most recruiters will do online checks on their candidates today – especially as the application is online too. Hobbies, friends, your recent postings in discussion forums – all this will determine the first impression a recruiter has. Remember: the internet does not forget anything! And as many people transfer their offline life online without giving it much thought, recruiters can sometimes even trace how you have evolved over the years.

Dozens of “online image defenders” use this fact and companies with catchy names such as Reputation.com or many others focus on what they call “reputation management”: the control and correction of entries on individuals and companies by trying to push negative comments to page 10 or so by manipulating the positive ones which will then appear on top of the search. Furthermore, they will “update” potentially negative entries.

Though an impeccable online image does not mean that you will get the job, a bad one can have the consequence that you don’t. It is therefore no surprise that the professional brush up of online images is a service that is in demand. 86% of all recruiters do online searches about their candidats according to the survey of a German reputation defender, 62% of the headhunters state that a positive online reputation has a positive impact on the selection process and more than two thirds give high importance to the digital appearance of their candidates. 94% of the recruitment firms state that this tendency will increase in the future and especially managers, high potentials but also young professionals can therefore expect that their online image will influence their career options.

4 basic rules for a digital hygiene:

1. Never: Inappropriate comments or pictures, lies or judgment of certain life styles. According to the above study, these are the top reasons why your candidacy might be refused after an online check. Be furthermore careful which groups you join on Facebook or other social networks
2. Private is private: Whatever you do during your time off should not be found on the worldwide web. Make sure that private activities remain private. If you want to comment in forums and have a controversial opinion, rather use an alias
3. Do your own research: Search you own name on the major search engines at least once per month, especially when you are currently looking for a new job. If possible, use different spellings and broaden your search to pictures and videos. You cannot change or improve your reputation if you don’t know it!
4. More is less: Do not register on forums or networks in order to be found by search engines without giving it a second thought. Rather use one or two well-kept profiles with a career service provider or on a business network

Conclusion:

In 2013, your online image will impact your career options more than ever – not always negatively. Using this knowledge wisely and understanding the name of the game can boost your image and as a consequence your career.

This is a guest article from Experteer, Europe’s executive career service for senior-level professionals and executives. Defined by your career goals, it alerts you to specific jobs and provides confidential access to an approved headhunter network. Please visit the Experteer-blog for more articles and career tips